SPRINGFIELD ― Just as iron sharpens iron, competition brings out the best in athletes.
No. 12 Renaissance girls basketball brought out its best on Saturday as the Phoenix defeated Taunton Regional, 66-46, on Day 1 of the inaugural Hoophall Invitational at Pope Francis Preparatory School.
Zi’Yan Wallace and Sy’Nye Baker led the way for the Phoenix with 21 points and 20 points respectively, as Renaissance got rolling early behind an 8-0 run to start the game.
But the Tigers were not deterred – as a Div. I program in the competitive Hockomock League, the Tigers regularly compete against high-ranked programs such as Franklin (No. 9 in Div. I per MIAA), King Philip (No. 14 in Div. I), Mansfield (No. 11 in Div. II) and Foxborough (No. 3 in Div. III) among others.
Taunton did not fold and faced the challenge head-on, doing their best to match the Phoenix’s physicality and speed. The Phoenix still maintained a seven-point advantage at the end of the first, but the Tigers had proven they were not going away.
Renaissance started the second quarter slowly and the Tigers took advantage, cutting the deficit to four in the opening minutes. But the Phoenix struck back with a torrential run, tearing off a 15-2 run to close the half with a 33-16 lead.
Renaissance’s hard-pressing defense continuously forced turnovers throughout the run. Wallace and the Phoenix guards were aggressive in transition as well, taking advantage of those defensive stops and getting the ball up the court for easy buckets. The run also included a three-pointer from Baker and Wallace each.
“All about pace and reading the court, reading the floor,” said Renaissance freshman guard, Keishla Rodriguez, after the game. “Coach (Jashua Baker) trusting our players to run the floor, (that) was also a big impact on the game, all of our pace and confidence.”
The Tigers started the second half well, challenging the Phoenix with their own fullcourt-press. Taunton executed well in the third quarter and took advantage of some sloppy play from the Phoenix, trimming the lead to 12 entering the fourth.
The Tigers maintained their momentum into the fourth, but as soon as Renaissance’s starting lineup returned to the court, the Phoenix rediscovered their rhythm. Wallace had nine points in the quarter and Baker added seven points, including a four-point play from the sophomore guard that iced the game.
“I feel like it was a great opportunity for us to get better and really pushed us to the limits,” Baker said. “Better competition equals us playing more aggressively, stronger and better overall.
“(Taunton) showed us that we need to push even harder. That just made us go more aggressive.”
The improvements in fitness levels across the board for Renaissance bore fruit against the Tigers, as last year’s team struggled at times to maintain their pace and intensity when facing better competition.
“Every day (we played) pick up in the morning, going to the court or even in the afternoon, working on my shot, staying fit because running up and down the court is a lot. Mainly just keep on being consistent, no days off.”
Wallace’s growth in this regard is especially promising for an athlete with her size and frame at such a young age. Multiple times in the game the eighth-grade center grabbed the rebound and ran the ball down the court, taking on Taunton’s press or passing over the top to an open teammate.
“During the summer and the fall, we played in the courts, summer basketball leagues and we practiced every single day,” Wallace said. “We ran, conditioned a lot, especially in the hot weather. Conditioning (from) just playing together, I honestly feel like the aggressiveness comes from the togetherness we have.
“Other teams, they can’t mess with us.”
Renaissance (11-0) will face New London High School (CT) on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. at Pope Francis Preparatory School on Day 2 of the Hoophall Invitational.
